When the Junior Manu Samoa and Junior Flying Fijians take the field at North Harbour Stadium for the Oceania U20s final, it will be a poignant moment for talented halfback, Ravuama Seruvakula.
The 19-year-old embodies both Fijian and Samoan heritage through his mother who is from Saina Faleata in Samoa and his father who hails from Navutu, Navuakece, and Naitasiri in Fiji.
But tonight, he’ll be donning the blue and white of Samoa.
“It means a lot to me, I’m half Fijian, half Samoan. Going up against the brothers from Fiji even though I’m half Fijian,” Seruvakula said.
This will be Seruvakula’s second time facing Fiji after playing against them in 7s at the Pacific Games last year.
There’s no denying who his father will be supporting.
“He’s happy I’m playing. Whether it’s Samoa or Fiji, it’s just rugby. Even though we’re playing against the Fijian boys, he’s just happy I’m playing sports,” Seruvakula said.
“If I’m playing, he’s probably going to support my team, but when he’s watching someone play against Fiji, he goes for Fiji.”
One of five children, Seruvakula was born and raised in Samoa and was inspired to play rugby by watching his father play rugby for Malaysia.
The Junior Manu Samoa travelled to Auckland with one goal in mind: a spot at the 2024 U20 World Rugby Trophy in Scotland. Representing not only their team but also their families and villages back home.
After a big win over the Junior Ikale Tahi to qualify for the World Rugby U20s Trophy 2024, the team is in good spirits, ready to give it their all for one last time.
With his eyes on a dream of playing for Manu Samoa, there’s no doubt Seruvakula will have the bonus of support from both island nations as he continues to make strides in his rugby career.
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